Strange notes in today's terror news

From the New York Times story:

President Bush called the arrests "a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom."

I don't think Bush even knows what he's saying anymore. I love freedom; perhaps an "Islamic fascist" will want to kill me; therefore he's killing me because I love freedom. There is so much wrong with this way of thinking I don't even know how to start. But there it is.

Mr. Clarke told reporters that the investigation had "already lasted for several months and will undoubtedly last long into the future" and said it had involved "an unprecedented level of surveillance.... We have been looking at meetings, movement, travel, spending and the aspirations of a large group of people," Mr. Clarke said.

They've been "looking at their aspirations." ...Incredible.

"This was a very sophisticated plan and operation," (Chertoff) said. "It was not a circle with a handful of people sitting around and dreaming."

That's an interesting image, suggesting some kind of summer-camp seance. "All right now, campers, close your eyes and think about where you'd like to be five years from now... ten year from now... twenty years from now!"

Kip Hawley, a United States Transportation Department official... suggested that travelers "leave liquids at home or drink them" before passing through security checkpoints....

I guess that would explain the large number of drunken people on flights today.

Joanne Weslund, 68, a retired schoolteacher from Hubbardston, Mass., was critical of the way the situation had been handled by the airlines as she waited for a British Airways flight. "It's been terrible," she said. "We are waiting in Disney-like lines."

Wow, so that's the gold standard for long lines now. "Disney-like"! And you know just what she means, too, even if you've never been to Disneyland. I guess Walt Disney never thought his name would be used this way.

David Charters of Princeton, who arrived around 6:30 am for a 9 a.m. flight to Calgary, was unsure he would make his flight, but was not making a fuss. "If you're not patient, you shouldn't be flying because things like this happen," he said. "That's why they have bars here."

See above notes about drunken people.